How to play Blackjack

Blackjack — also called twenty-one — is the simplest casino card game to learn and one of the most satisfying to play well. You play one hand against the dealer, and the aim is straightforward: finish closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. This table uses a single deck, the dealer stands on all 17s, and a natural blackjack pays the friendly 3:2. You start with a balance of $1,000 in play money; no real money is ever involved.

Card values

• Number cards are worth their face value, 2 through 10.
• Jacks, Queens, and Kings are each worth 10.
• An Ace is worth 11, or 1 if 11 would bust your hand — it switches automatically to whichever helps you.

Playing a hand

Set your bet with the − and + steppers, then press Deal. You and the dealer each receive two cards; one of the dealer's cards stays face-down until your turn ends. Now choose:

• Hit — take another card. Keep hitting as long as you like, but go over 21 and you bust and lose the bet.
• Stand — keep your total and pass play to the dealer.
• Double — double your bet, take exactly one more card, and stand. Available on your first two cards.

When you stand, the dealer reveals the hidden card and draws until reaching at least 17, then stands. Highest total that hasn't busted wins. Equal totals are a push and your bet comes back. A two-card 21 is a blackjack and pays 3:2.

Strategy

Good blackjack is about the dealer's up-card. When the dealer shows a 2 through 6, they are likely to bust, so stand on stiff totals of 12 to 16 and let them take the risk. When the dealer shows a 7 or higher, keep hitting until you reach a hard 17 or better. Always stand on 17 and up, and lean on doubling when you hold a 10 or 11 against a weak dealer card. Never take a hand to 22 chasing the dealer — patience wins more chips than greed.